JP3464286B2 - Refillable inkjet printing module - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to refillable ink jet printing modules, and more particularly to ink reservoirs of the type removably mountable on the carriage of ink jet printers, such as those associated with personal computers. The present invention relates to a so-called integrated thermal inkjet printing module including a thermal (heating type) print head integrated with an (ink reservoir).

[0002]

Printing modules of the type described above are known in the art. For example, an integrated printing module that can be removably inserted into a printer is described in International Patent Application (PCT) WO 91/04861 (199) issued Apr. 18, 1991.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,317,3, issued May 31, 4
(Corresponding to No. 39)). The ink reservoir includes a sponge body impregnated with ink, the print head is formed by a plate integrated with the reservoir, and the ink is pushed out by a rapid increase in pressure in a compression chamber connected to a nozzle. Nozzle is provided.

The life of the ink contained in the reservoir is usually much shorter than the life of the printhead, and replacing a used module with a full ink prints is still working. This is extremely expensive as it involves wasting the head. The problem of wasting a print head that is still in operation by replacing a used monolithic module is the problem of a small printer mounted on a portable (laptop) personal computer. Is especially clear in the case of. In this type of device, the inkjet printing module is generally small and can contain about 6 cm ³ of ink. Therefore, it must be replaced more frequently than in the case of desktop printers. Furthermore, in a particular use of this type of device, which is mainly used by people working while traveling,
Replacing a used integrated printing module involves many practical problems, such as the need to have a supply of new modules at hand. . As a result, a larger baggage space is needed.

Under certain circumstances, inventory and disposal of used modules also presents various problems. Replacing a used module is generally a simple task that is calm and performed in a quiet location. However, for users traveling on a vehicle,
This type of operation is extremely difficult and complicated and can lead to incorrect installation of new modules and the inability to continue printing that has already begun. All of these defects cause long interruptions in printing, possibly leading to a loss of print quality, which adversely affects the user's business.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a thermal ink jet printing module that can be refilled many times so that the print head equipped in the printing module can be used to the full life of the printing head. It is to be able to do it.

Another object of the invention is to reduce the problems associated with carrying and disposing of spare cartridges by combining smaller refill cartridges with refillable ink jet printing modules as compared to refill modules. That is.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A thermal ink jet printing module of the present invention, which is removably attachable to a printer cartridge, comprises an ink reservoir and a thermal ink jet print head fixed to and in communication with the ink reservoir. There is. The housing is integrated with a reservoir for containing an ink refill cartridge to provide fresh ink to the used module by a transfer member integrated with the cartridge housing. In this way, the reservoir can be refilled by the user relatively easily, even while the user is traveling.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1, which is described in more detail below with reference to the preferred embodiment of the invention, there is shown a vertical cross-section of a thermal ink jet printing module 10 embodying the invention. Without limitation, the print module 10 is of a type that can be removably mounted on a printer carriage (not shown) and has four walls 14a, 1.
4b, 14c and 14d (FIG. 3), the main reservoir 12 and, in the lower part, the reservoir 12
And includes a base wall 16 (FIG. 1) that is closed and has holes 15 for the passage of ink.

The following description refers to the module 10 being used on a printer (not shown) in an upright position, as can be seen in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6. A hollow sleeve 22, which is preferably cylindrical in shape, is fixed to the base wall 16 and extends towards the inside of the reservoir 12. An ink permeable membrane 24, which acts as a filter to inhibit any impurities, is arranged at the inlet 23 of the sleeve 22 facing the inside of the reservoir 12.

Membrane 24 can be replaced by a layer of non-woven fabric or a very tight mesh screen made of fibers made of metal or plastic that resists the corrosive effects of ink, for example.

Thus, the space within the sleeve 22 contained between the membrane 24 and the wall 16 forms an ink supply chamber 25, as shown below.

A plurality of nozzles 30 formed by a multi-layer type substrate 29 formed on a silicon substrate and communicating with corresponding extrusion chambers, each nozzle being connected to a duct for supplying ink. A thermal inkjet printhead 28 having a sleeve 2
2 is fixed to the outer surface 26 of the base wall 16 corresponding to 2. Also included within each chamber is a heating member for pushing out ink electrically connected to an external conductor by a conductive plate formed in the inner layer of substrate 29 by integrated circuit technology. The print head 28 is of a known type and design features other than the known type are described in Italian Patent No. 1 233 061.

The reservoir 12 is filled with an absorbent material 34, for example a sponge or a bundle of fibers, or a package consisting of a layer of non-woven fabric that has been impregnated with ink when making the module. When filled with ink,
The upper hole 17 of the reservoir 12 is closed by a cover 18 which is firmly fixed by, for example, ultrasonic welding. The cover 18 has an orifice or opening 20 for communicating the reservoir 12 with the outside air.

When filling the reservoir 12, special care is taken to ensure that the ink completely fills the chamber 25 and the inner ducts of the plate 29 to ensure proper operation of the head 28.

In a preferred, but non-limiting embodiment, the absorbent material 34 is made by a package consisting of sheets or layers of non-woven fabric known in the art and sold under various names depending on the material of construction. For example, Reemay (Reemai Inc.
may Inc. ) Trademark: polyester, Tekton (Reeme Ink)
may Inc. )): Polypropylene, Sontara (registered trademark of DuPont):
Polyester, Nordlys (registered trademark of Nordlys Inc.): Polyamide and the like.

These materials are formed by one or more layers that are randomly stacked and welded at points of contact to form a flat structure that resembles a sheet.

The sheets are cut to the desired size and placed on top of each other in a correctly defined amount to form a package that is inserted into the reservoir. Alternatively, the package can be obtained by folding a web of this type of material having the desired width into an accordion.

In any case, varying the number of layers forming the package (with equal sheet thickness) results in a greater degree of fiber plugging, which has a corresponding control of the capillary action produced by this sheet. The number of layers must be accurately determined, since

A layer of slightly compressed sponge body 36 is inserted between the package 34 of non-woven sheet and the membrane 24, the function of this layer of sponge body being by capillary action.
Ensuring that the ink flows through the membrane 24 towards the chamber 25.

In the case of a small reservoir 12, which can contain about 5-6 cm ³ of ink, the working life of the ink is considerably shorter than that of the head 28. Therefore, in order to avoid having to dispose of the used module 10 with the provided printhead 28 still in operation, the module 10 is inserted in a simple manner to fill with new ink. It is adapted to accommodate a refill cartridge, which can be removed and can be removed again in a likewise simple manner for later filling.

A support structure 40 or retaining means (FIGS. 1-3) adapted to receive and enclose the ink refill cartridge 42 for the main reservoir 12 is one of the walls 14 of the reservoir 12, ie wall 14d. Fixed near the. The support structure 40 has three walls 44a, 44b, 4
4c, the walls 44a and 44c being provided as extensions of the walls 14a, 14c of the module 10, while
The wall 44b is coupled to the walls 44a, 44c parallel to the wall 14d and for defining a receiving space 46 (FIG. 1) for receiving the cartridge 42. Cartridge 42
Can be inserted into the space 46 in the direction of arrow 47.

A closing member 48, which is connected at a right angle to the walls 14d and 44b, is arranged at the bottom of the space 46,
The closure member 48 includes a connection gate 50 adapted to hydraulically connect the cartridge 42 to the main reservoir 12 when the cartridge is inserted into the space 46. The closing member 48 has a hole 52 communicating with an intermediate duct 54 provided between the reservoir 12 and the connection gate 50. The duct 54 is a non-woven sheet 34.
14d facing the lower part of the package consisting of
It communicates with the reservoir 12 via a passage 56 provided therein.

The cartridge 42 is formed by a casing 60 that is rigid so as to match the shape of the space 46 in which the ink is filled and the cartridge is inserted. The cartridge 42 has the cartridge 4
2 includes a member 62 for transferring ink adapted to be coupled to member 50 when inserted. The transfer member 62 is normally impermeable to ink, but when coupled to the connection gate 50 allows ink flow to allow the ink to be held indefinitely without escaping through the member 62. Has been done.

The cartridge 42 is closed at the top by a cover 66, which includes means 68 by which the casing 60 can be actuated to selectively bring it into communication with ambient air. The communication means 68 is provided in the cover 6
6 and has a member movable from a rest position in which the casing 60 is separated from the outside air to an operating position in which the casing 60 is in communication with the outside air, as will be clearly described below. The communication means 68 comprises a hollow cylindrical body 72, which has a button-shaped outer end 74, which is particularly slidable in the cover 66, and which has a hollow cylindrical body 7.
The end 76 of the second casing 60 facing the inside is shaped like a claw or a claw (FIG. 2) and covers the cover 6
The membrane 78 of 6 can function to break open.

In the first embodiment of the print module 10 and the refill cartridge 42 (FIG. 1), the connection gate 5
0 includes a connecting member or pin 53 in the form of a hollow tubular member fixed to the closure member 48, while the transfer member 6
2 includes a cap 63 made of a soft impermeable material that can be pierced by a pin 53.

In newer cartridges that are still full of ink, the cylindrical body or plunger 72
Are located in the outer rest position 73 (FIGS. 1, 4 and 6), while the membrane 78 remains unbroken to prevent ink from escaping.

When the ink of the module 10 is used up,
The operator inserts the new cartridge deep enough into the space 46 (FIG. 2) and pierces the cap 63 with the pin 53, while simultaneously pressing the button 74 to push the cartridge into the operating position 75, so that the membrane 78 is removed. It is penetrated and broken. In this way, the upper portion of the casing 60 is in communication with the ambient air, so that the ink in the ink containing chamber of the cartridge 42 is allowed to fall by gravity into the duct 54 and is made of absorbent material by capillary action. It is absorbed by the package 34.

The casing 60 of the cartridge 42 is designed so that when the cartridge is fully inserted into the space 46, the wall 44
Includes outwardly projecting protrusions 80 (FIG. 1) that engage corresponding grooves 82 provided on b. The wall 44b is made to follow elastically because the projection 80 is formed in the groove 8
Provisions are made for passage into the upper part 84 of the two.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show another module 10 according to the invention and a cartridge contained therein. In these figures, the same parts as in FIGS. 1 and 2 have not been described in detail and have not been numbered for the sake of simplicity. In this embodiment, the sponge body 36 extends into the duct 54 and the holes 52.
Can be seen from. The transfer member 62 includes a fibrous or sponge member 88 inserted in the bottom of the cartridge 42 instead of the cap 63 of FIG.

Due to the strong capillary action of the fibrous member 88 and in the new full-filled cartridge, the cylindrical body 72 is not piercing the membrane 78 and is located by the end adjacent to the membrane 78. As a result, the ink will not escape. A protective cap 89 is provided to prevent the operator's accidental contact with the fibrous member 88 from covering the hand with ink (FIG. 4).

In FIG. 5, when the refill cartridge 42 is inserted deep enough into the space 46 ', the fibrous member 88 released from the protective cap comes into contact with the sponge body 36 through the hole 52. This sponge body is normally not yet impregnated with ink, and the member 88 and the sponge body 36.
The ink of the cartridge 42 flows into the package 34 through the sponge body 36 by the capillary action of the.

FIG. 6 shows a module 10 different from the above embodiment and a cartridge 42 provided in the module 10. In FIG. 6, the same members as those in the previous drawings are not described in detail again and are not numbered.

The cover 90 of the module 10 extends over the upper orifice of a space 92 similar to the space 46 of FIG. A hollow cylindrical sleeve 94 is fixed to the cover 90 and extends inside the space 92. The sleeve 94 is closed at the bottom by a wall 96,
There is provided a hollow pin 98 which communicates with the inner portion of the space 92 below the sleeve 94.

The lower portion of the refill cartridge 100 is provided with a tubular member 102 closed by a cap 104 similar to the cap 63 of FIG.

To supply ink from the cartridge 100 to the reservoir 12, the tubular member 102 has a sleeve 94.
Inserted into the cartridge cap 104 and the membrane 78.
When the and are punctured, the ink contained in the cartridge can flow into the reservoir 12.

FIG. 7 illustrates another method of coupling the refill cartridge 110 to the module 112 according to another embodiment of the invention. The new module 112 is provided with a cartridge 110 of the type shown in FIG. 1 or the type shown in FIG. 5 already inserted in the space 116 at the time of manufacture.
10, the cartridge outer protruding portion 120 has a space 116.
Is maintained at a distance from the coupling member 118 by engaging the first groove 122 formed in the wall 126 of the. The refilling operation is maximally simplified when the module 112 needs to be filled with ink. The operator pushes the button 128 to push the cartridge into the bottom of the space 116 and rupture the membrane 78, causing the cartridge to move to the position shown in FIG. 2 and positioned lower than the groove 122. Second groove 12
It must be held in this position by the engagement of 3 with the protrusion 120.

In order to carry and equip a certain number of cartridges of the type described above without the need for extra space to accommodate these cartridges, the ink contained in the cartridges must be The volume is maintained at a ratio of approximately 1/3 of the volume of ink contained in the new module (which is of the order of 5-6 cm ³ as already mentioned). In the end, the outline size of each cartridge will also be a similar proportion to the size of the module to be refilled.

It will be appreciated that additions and / or modifications may be made to each component or embodiment of the thermal inkjet printing module of the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a printing module embodying the present invention side by side with a refill cartridge.

2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the printing module of FIG. 1 with a refill cartridge inserted.

3 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the printing module of FIG. 2, taken along line III-III.

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the printing module of FIG. 1 and a refill cartridge associated therewith.

FIG. 5: FIG. 4 with the cartridge inserted and equipped
FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the printing module of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the printing module of FIG. 1 and a refill cartridge equipped with this module.

7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with the refill cartridge having two fixed locations within the print module receiving holes.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 printing modules, 12 reservoirs, 14a,
14b, 14c, 14d reservoir wall, 16 base wall, 18 cover, 20 hole, 22 sleeve, 23 sleeve inlet, 24 ink permeable membrane, 25 ink supply chamber, 26 base wall outer surface, 28 print head, 29 Board, 30
Nozzle, 34 absorbent material, 36 sponge body, 4
0 cartridge support structure, 42 ink cartridges, 44a, 44b, 44c cartridge support structure wall, 48 blocking member, 50 connection gate,
52 holes, 53 pins, 54 ducts, 56
Passage, 60 cartridge casing, 62
Transfer member, 63 cap, 66 cover,
68 communication means, 72 plunger, 78 membrane,
80 protrusions, 82 grooves,

Front page continued (72) Inventor Rinaldo Ferrarotti 13039 Vercelli, Italy 13039 Torino Vercellese, Via Fermi 6 (72) Inventor Roberto Morandotti Italian Turin 10010 Mercenasco, Via Donio 10 (72) Inventor Alessandro Skaldovi Turin, Italy 10015 Ivrea, Via Brusio 1 (56) Reference JP-A-5-238016 (JP, A) JP-A-5-96743 (JP, A) JP-A-5-96744 ( JP, A) JP 5-57902 (JP, A) JP 4-247961 (JP, A) JP 3-32850 (JP, A) JP 2-522 (JP, A) JP Hei 3-87266 (JP, A) US Patent 5555007 (US, A) European Patent Application Publication 645243 (EP, A 2) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B41J 2/175

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A reservoir (12) containing ink.
A thermal inkjet printhead (28) fixed to and in communication with the reservoir, and housing means (12) integrated with the reservoir (12).
6) A housing adapted to house and enclose a cartridge (42) for supplying fresh ink to a used module (10) by a coupling means (118) provided on the housing means. Means (12
6) and the coupling means comprises the cartridge (4
By breaking through the bottom of 2)
It is designed to fill the module with fresh ink
A refillable inkjet printing module, wherein the housing means (126) comprises the cartridge.
(42) The bottom portion of the cartridge is formed by the connecting means.
Not broken through I, the first receiving position prior refill separated from the coupling means, the first stopper for holding (122), a bottom said bonds of said cartridge
A second stopper (123) for holding the cartridge in a second refill position in a refill state engaged by the coupling means , which is pierced by a step, the cartridge comprising: A stop member (120) for selectively cooperating with the first stop and the second stop,
Printing module. 2. The printing module according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge (42) is slidable in the closing cover (66) facing the transfer member (62), and the closing cover (66). A first end (74) provided on the outside of the cartridge and a first portion adapted to break a portion (78) of the cover (66) for transferring ink from the cartridge to the reservoir by external atmospheric pressure. A hollow cylindrical body (72) having two ends (76);
A print module that contains.